I’ve only been to one wedding vow renewal. It was unusual for around here, with Celtic music and a procession of flags. I wasn’t at the first wedding, so maybe it was some kind of throwback to that. Who knows?

There are lots of reasons people give for having them. Sometimes it is to mark a special anniversary, 10, 20, 25 years (I think this was the reason for the one I attended). Sometimes a renewal is done after a difficult situation the couple has overcome – a rough patch or an illness, etc. And sometimes it is simply to let the world know they would do this all over again. While Shawn and I have experienced all these reasons, neither of us would want to do a ceremony. He said he meant it when he said them the first time, and I’m not a fan of being the center of attention. But they can be a beautiful thing and important for a lot of people.

It’s all too easy to completely love your person and mean all words you promised them on your special day, then life and laundry and bills get in the way.

Sometimes it’s just important to take some time to remember why and confirm it again.
In Mark chapter 8, Jesus is traveling with his disciples and Jesus throws a question to them- “Who do people say I am?”

In verse 28, “They replied, ‘Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.’”

Then Jesus turns it to them at the beginning of verse 29.

“’But what about you?’ he asked. ‘Who do you say I am?’’

And Peter speaks up, saying, “You are the Messiah.”

Peter had been with Jesus for some time at this point. He had watched as Jesus napped on a boat and then controlled the weather with his words. Peter saw demons not only disappear from a man but saw them then enter right into 2,000 pigs at the command of Jesus. He heard Jesus teach and spent so much time with him. He saw Jesus heal a very sick woman and then a tween girl who was pronounced dead began breathing again with the touch of his hand and the power of his words. He saw bread and fish multiplied in ways that were unexplainable apart from the very power of God. He saw even more than all of this by the time Jesus had asked, “Who do you say I am?”

I think Peter knew before that day that Jesus was the Messiah. And I think Jesus knew that Peter knew. But I also think Jesus knew it was beneficial for Peter to press pause for a second and let the question sink in and confirm it once again. I *do* believe You are the Messiah.

Peter didn’t even simply say, “We call You the Messiah.” Peter declared it. “You are the Messiah.”

Maybe you are like me and could benefit from doing this today too. Pause for a second and ask yourself, “Who do you say He is?” “Who do you believe He is?” Let’s remind ourselves of the things we have seen Him do, and the things we read He did in Scripture. Write those things down if you are near a scrap of paper or your phone. Let it sink in for a minute and remember who we say He is.